Pump

ABSTRACT

A pump having the usual suction and discharge check valves contained in a cartridge which may be removed and replaced without having to dismantle any of the other pump structure. The cartridge is in the form of a bolt-shaped member which is inserted into a bore in the pump cylinder and is provided with check valves and suitable communication means to position the check valves in control of the suction and discharge flows to and from the pump. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

United States Patent [191 Greene, Jr.

PUMP

lnventor:

[75] George J. Greene, Jr., Houston,

Tex.

Greene Research Engineering Co., Houston, Tex.

Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 Appl. No.: 95,438

[73] Assignee:

US. Cl ..417/454, 417/568 Int. Cl. ..F04b 21/02, F04b 39/00 Field of Search ..4l7/454, 568, 507;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Martin ..4l7/568 X Delorme..... Dettinger.... ..417/568 X Goss ..417/454 X an armour unumun.

Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle Assistant ExaminerRichard E. Gluck Attorney.l. Vincent Martin, Joe E. Edwards and Jack R. Springgate I ABSTRACT A pump having the usual suction and discharge check valves contained in a cartridge which may be removed and replaced without having to dismantle any of the other pump structure. The cartridge is in the form of a bolt-shaped member which is inserted into a bore in the pump cylinder and is provided with check valves and suitable communication means to position the check valves in control of the suction and discharge flows to and from the pump. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, not is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PUMP SUMMARY The present invention relates to an improved positive displacement fluid pump. More specifically the present invention relates to an improved pump in which the suction and discharge values are readily removable and replaceable without disturbing the remainder of the pump structure.

Prior to the present invention, pumps generally requiring both suction and discharge valves provided for the insertion or positioning of the valves in the suction and discharge lines connecting to the pump. With this structure, a check valve could be replaced only by first disconnecting the line from the pump. Other structures have been suggested in which the two check valves for a pump have been contained in a unitary structure and then inserted into the pump with suitable closure being attached to the pump body or cylinder to retain the valve structure in its proper position. With such structures, it is necessary to remove the closure in order to remove and replace the check valves.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved pump in which the suction and discharge check valves may be readily removed without in any way dismantling other parts of the pump.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pump having a readily removable check valve cartridge.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pump with a removable check valve cartridge which may be replaced and in which the pumping of fluid will eliminate the air in the cartridge.

Still a further object is to provide an improved cartridge containing both suction and discharge check valves for a pump and suitable communicating means therethrough which cartridge may be simply and quickly installed in a pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are hereinafter described and explained in reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pump constructed to have the improved structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2- 2 in FIG. 1 and showing the cylinder, valve, cartridge and the suction and discharge connections to the cylinder.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 2 to show the communication means of the valve cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a similar transverse sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 2 to show other parts of the communication means of the valve cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, the pump includes the cylinder 12 having a central bore 14, a piston 16 in the bore 14 and means for reciprocating the piston 16 in the bore 14. Such reciprocating means may be a motor 18 connected to the piston 16 by a crank and connecting rod or any other suitable means for translating the ing chamber 24 defined by the central bore 14 and the end of piston 16. The improved check valve cartridge 26 of the present invention is interposed between the suction and discharge lines and the pumping chamber so that the two check valves included therein are positioned in the communication to control the suction and discharge of the pump.

As shown, the cylinder 12 has a transverse bore 28 spaced from the end of pumping chamber 24 and in communication therewith by the passageway 30 and also in communication to both the suction and discharge lines by the passageways 32 and 34, respectively. The cartridge is in the shape of a bolt having a head flange 36 so that when it is inserted into the transverse bore 28, it is properly positioned when the head flange engages the cylinder 12. Also the other end of the cartridge is externally threaded at 38 to receive the nut 40 which retains the cartridge in place. The cartridge 26 is removed by unthreading the nut 40 and withdrawing the cartridge 26 from the bore 28. A new cartridge 26 may then immediately be inserted therein and fixed in position by the nut 40. Since there are no axial unbalanced forces on the cartridge 26, the nut 40 may not be needed but is recommended to assure proper positioning of cartridge 26.

As mentioned, the cartridge 26 includes the suction and discharge check valves and communication means to position the suction check valve in the communication from the suction line 20 to the pumping chamber 24 and the discharge check valve in the communication from the suction line 22 to the pumping chamber 24. These check valves which are wholly contained within the cartridge 26 perform all of the usual functions of the usual pump check valves and are simple in structure and easy to replace. It is generally preferred that the cartridge 26 be positioned vertically in cylinder 12 so that the liquid being pumped may easily displace any air within the cartridge.

The cartridge includes a body 42 having recessed ends into which the check valve members 44 and 46 are inserted and the caps 48 and 50 which thread into the body 42 to retain the check valves in the desired position. The suction check valve member 44 is positioned in the recess 52 and is biased by the spring 54 against the inner end of the recess 52 to seal around the passage 56. The discharge check valve member 46 is positioned in the recess 58 and is biased by the spring 60 against the inner end of the recess 58 to seal around the passage 62. The caps 48 and 50 are screwed into their respective recesses and function to guide the movement of the respective valve members and as a seat for their respective springs.

Each of the valve members is provided with a recess into which its spring is received and a flange which functions to limit the extent of movement of the valve member by engaging the inner end of its cap. The caps are both provided with external threading which engage the internal threads in the body recesses and include a body recess to receive the spring and the outer portion of the valve member. Each of the check valve members is provided with a suitable seating seal such as the O-ring shown.

To provide communication between the suction and discharge lines and the pumping chamber, the exterior of the body 42 is provided with three communicating grooves 64,- 66 and 68 and four sealing grooves and rings 70, 72, 74 and 76. With this structure, each of the communicating grooves is sealed from communication with the other communicating grooves. As is shown in FIG. 2, the groove 64 is in communication with the passageway 32 and through the transverse bore 78 with the passage 56. The groove 66 is in communication with the passageway 30 and through the transverse bore 80 with passage 62 and through the passages 82 and 84 with the suction valve recess 52 (the passages 82 and 84 being shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 to indicate their connection but being in the opposite plane as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The groove 68 is in communication with passageway 34 and through passage 86 with the interior of recess 58. As shown the transverse bore 28 provides the surface against which all of the seal rings on the exterior of the cartridge 26 seal. With the seals being of the same size and isolating each of the grooves 64, 66 and 68, the pressure forces on the cartridge 26 are balanced as previously mentioned.

In operation, as soon as the cartridge 26 has been installed within the transverse bore 28, the motor 18 can be started and the piston 16 is reciprocated within the central bore 14 of cylinder 12. On the suction stroke of the piston, fluid is drawn through suction line 20, passageway 32, groove 64, transverse bore 78, passage 56, and by unseating check valve member 44 through recess 52, passages 82 and 84, transverse bore 80, groove 66 and passageway 30 into the pumping chamber 24. During this suction stroke the check valve member 46 is held in its seated position by the spring 60.

When the piston is in its discharge stroke, the check valve member 44 seats to close off communication through the aforementioned suction system and the discharge check valve 46 is unseated by the fluid pressure overcoming the seating force of the spring 60. The fluid is then discharged from the pumping chamber 24 through the passageway 30, the groove 66, the transverse bore 80, the passage 62 past the unseated check valve member 46, through the passage 86, the groove 68 and the passageway 34 into the discharge line 22.

It is preferred that the cartridge 26 be positioned vertically and in such position the recess 52 will be completely filled with the fluid being pumped and air exhausted therefrom since the outlet into the passages 82 and 84 is atthe top of the recess 52.

The cartridge 26 may be replaced at any time by removing the nut 40 and withdrawing the cartridge 26 from the transverse bore 28. As soon as the old cartridge is removed a new cartridge may be inserted and pumping continued. If desired, the piston 16 may continue its reciprocation during the replacement of the cartridge 26.

As has been previously stated the present invention has been shown to provide an improved pump and a readily removable cartridge therefor which cartridge contains both the suction and discharge check valves. The cartridge is simple to construct, install and repair and further is self-clearing of air in its suction side. The cartridge may be removed from its operating position without disturbing or having to move any other part of the pump.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pump, comprising a cylinder having a central bore,

a piston positioned in the central bore of said cylinder,

means forreciprocating said piston in said bore,

said central bore and said piston defining a pumping chamber,

communication means to the pumping chamber of said bore,

a suction connection to said communication means,

a discharge connection to said communication means, and

a cartridge containing a suction check valve, and a discharge check valve and being removably positioned in said communication means so that said valves may be replaced by removal and replacement of said cartridge leaving the remainder of said pump in position,

each of said check valves including a valve seat and a valve member with said valve members being in axial alignment with each other,

the opening movement of said suction check valve member being in the opposite direction from the opening movement of said discharge check valve member.

2. A pump according to claim 1, wherein said valve members move toward each other to close.

3. A pump, comprising a cylinder having a central axial bore extending partly therethrough,

said cylinder defining a transverse bore therethrough spaced from the inner end of said axial bore, said cylinder defining a port extending from the inner end of said central axial bore to said transverse bore,

said cylinder defining a suction port and a discharge port in communication with said transverse bore, and

a cartridge adapted to be removably positioned within said transverse bore,

said cartridge containing a suction check valve, a

discharge check valve and communication means to establish said suction check valve in the communication between said suction port and said port from said central axial bore of said cylinder and said discharge valve in the communication between said discharge port and said port from said central axial bore of said cylinder whereby said check valves are replaceable independent of the other pump structure,

said cartridge having a cylindrical body defining a pair of recesses,

said check valves being positioned in said recesses,

said cartridge body defining three annular grooves, each one of said grooves functioning as a portion of the communication to one of the central axial bore port, the'suction port and the discharge port in said transverse bore, and means sealing between said cartridge body and said transverse bore to isolate each of said grooves.

4. A pump according to claim 3 wherein said cartridge body includes 7 an outwardly extending flange for positioning said cartridge in the desired axial position within said transverse bore.

5. A pump, comprising a cylinder having a central bore extendingy-partially therethrough, i

a piston in said central bore,

said cylinder defining a cartridge cavity,

a suction line in communication with said cartridge cavity,

a discharge line in communication with said cartridge cavity,

means communicating from the inner end of the central bore to said cartridge cavity,

a valve cartridge removably positioned in said cartridge cavity and having a suction check valve, a discharge check valve and means establishing communication from said suction line to said suction check valve and to said communicating means to the inner end of the central bore and from said central bore communicating means to said discharge check valve and to said discharge line,

said cartridge being positioned in and removable from said cartridge cavity independent of the other pump structure, and

means for sealing between said valve cartridge and said cartridge cavity on each side of each of said communication means, said valve cartridge and said sealing means being preselected in size to maintain a pressure balance on saidvalve cartridge at all times. 6. A pump according to claim 5, wherein said sealing means all have the same effective sealing diameter to assure said pressure balancing of said valve cartridge.

7. As a subcombination for use with a pump, a check valve cartridge comprising a body having a pair of recesses,

a suction check valve positioned in one of said recesses,

a discharge check valve positioned in the other of said recesses,

means biasing said check valves to seated position,

and r communication means through said body for providing communication therethrough from a suction passage, through said suction check valve to a common passage and from said common passage through said discharge check valve to a discharge passage,

said body being generally cylindrical in shape and at least a portion of said communication means is provided by external grooves extending around said body,

- said check valves being in axial alignment and each of said check valves having a closing movement in the opposite direction from the closing movement of the other of said check valves.

8. A subcombination according to claim 7, including a plurality of sealing grooves and sealing rings in the exterior ofsaid body to seal on both sides of each of said communication grooves.

. A subcombination according to claim 7, wherein 

1. A pump, comprising a cylinder having a central bore, a piston positioned in the central bore of said cylinder, means for reciprocating said piston in said bore, said central bore and said piston defining a pumping chamber, communication means to the pumping chamber of said bore, a suction connection to said communication means, a discharge connection to said communication means, and a cartridge containing a suction check valve, and a discharge check valve and being removably positioned in said communication means so that said valves may be replaced by removal and replacement of said cartridge leaving the remainder of said pump in position, each of said check valves incLuding a valve seat and a valve member with said valve members being in axial alignment with each other, the opening movement of said suction check valve member being in the opposite direction from the opening movement of said discharge check valve member.
 2. A pump according to claim 1, wherein said valve members move toward each other to close.
 3. A pump, comprising a cylinder having a central axial bore extending partly therethrough, said cylinder defining a transverse bore therethrough spaced from the inner end of said axial bore, said cylinder defining a port extending from the inner end of said central axial bore to said transverse bore, said cylinder defining a suction port and a discharge port in communication with said transverse bore, and a cartridge adapted to be removably positioned within said transverse bore, said cartridge containing a suction check valve, a discharge check valve and communication means to establish said suction check valve in the communication between said suction port and said port from said central axial bore of said cylinder and said discharge valve in the communication between said discharge port and said port from said central axial bore of said cylinder whereby said check valves are replaceable independent of the other pump structure, said cartridge having a cylindrical body defining a pair of recesses, said check valves being positioned in said recesses, said cartridge body defining three annular grooves, each one of said grooves functioning as a portion of the communication to one of the central axial bore port, the suction port and the discharge port in said transverse bore, and means sealing between said cartridge body and said transverse bore to isolate each of said grooves.
 4. A pump according to claim 3 wherein said cartridge body includes an outwardly extending flange for positioning said cartridge in the desired axial position within said transverse bore.
 5. A pump, comprising a cylinder having a central bore extending partially therethrough, a piston in said central bore, said cylinder defining a cartridge cavity, a suction line in communication with said cartridge cavity, a discharge line in communication with said cartridge cavity, means communicating from the inner end of the central bore to said cartridge cavity, a valve cartridge removably positioned in said cartridge cavity and having a suction check valve, a discharge check valve and means establishing communication from said suction line to said suction check valve and to said communicating means to the inner end of the central bore and from said central bore communicating means to said discharge check valve and to said discharge line, said cartridge being positioned in and removable from said cartridge cavity independent of the other pump structure, and means for sealing between said valve cartridge and said cartridge cavity on each side of each of said communication means, said valve cartridge and said sealing means being preselected in size to maintain a pressure balance on said valve cartridge at all times.
 6. A pump according to claim 5, wherein said sealing means all have the same effective sealing diameter to assure said pressure balancing of said valve cartridge.
 7. As a subcombination for use with a pump, a check valve cartridge comprising a body having a pair of recesses, a suction check valve positioned in one of said recesses, a discharge check valve positioned in the other of said recesses, means biasing said check valves to seated position, and communication means through said body for providing communication therethrough from a suction passage, through said suction check valve to a common passage and from said common passage through said discharge check valve to a discharge passage, said body being generally cylindrical in shape and at least a portion of said communication means is provided by exterNal grooves extending around said body, said check valves being in axial alignment and each of said check valves having a closing movement in the opposite direction from the closing movement of the other of said check valves.
 8. A subcombination according to claim 7, including a plurality of sealing grooves and sealing rings in the exterior of said body to seal on both sides of each of said communication grooves.
 9. A subcombination according to claim 7, wherein said body is generally bolt-shaped and includes a head having an outwardly extending flange to limit the insertion travel of the body into a bore and external threading spaced from said head and adapted to receive a nut to retain said cartridge in operating position. 